Comedian Stephen Colbert has come under fire for not apologizing for the jokes he made at the expense of Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William.
During a recent episode of his late-night talk show, Colbert brought up the topic of Kate’s cancer diagnosis, and while acknowledging that his jokes had upset some people, the comedian avoided giving a direct apology; instead, he sent the princess his well-wishes.
Stephen Colbert Says He’s Aware His Kate Middleton Joke ‘Upset Some People’
During the monologue for a recent episode of his show, Colbert discussed his now-controversial Kate Middleton joke, which has been subject to severe backlash.
“You know, folks, I don’t know if you have noticed, but we do a lot of shows and I tell a lot of jokes, and I tell jokes about a lot of different things, mostly what everybody’s talking about,” Colbert began, per Daily Mail. “And for the last six weeks to two months, everybody has been talking about the mystery of Kate Middleton’s disappearance from the public life.”
The comedian then noted that, like many others, he made jokes about her “disappearance” and was aware that they “upset some people.”
He then added, “There is a standard that I try to hold myself to. And that is, I do not make light of somebody else’s tragedy.”
Stephen Colbert Sends The Princess Of Wales His ‘Well-Wishes’
In his monologue, Colbert discussed Kate’s “prognosis,” noting that as the future queen, she will have access to the best care in the world and will most likely come out of this experience stronger.
However, he noted that, no matter what, a cancer diagnosis is always “tragic” news for a patient and their loved ones.
Colbert said, “Now, I don’t know whether her prognosis is a tragic one; she is the future Queen of England, and I assume she’s going to be getting the best possible medical care. But regardless of what it is, I know, and I’m sure many of you, far too many of us, know that any cancer diagnosis of any kind is harrowing for the patient and for their family.”
Concluding his monologue, Colbert wished the princess a swift recovery, saying: “And, though I’m sure they don’t need it from me, I and everyone here at ‘The Late Show’ would like to extend our well wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough.”
Stephen Colbert Slammed For His Non-Apology
Colbert has now come under fire for speaking on the issue without giving the princess a direct apology for his jokes made at her and her husband, Prince William’s expense.
Speaking on the non-apology, late Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said: “He might be full of regret for himself but he didn’t apologise.”
Arbiter continued on X (formerly Twitter): “American chat show hosts have a cruel capacity of making jokes at others expense and Colbert is no exception. Buckingham Palace said she’d had surgery, and would be away for several weeks. The Princess of Wales didn’t disappear, she was recuperating.”
American chat show hosts have a cruel capacity of making jokes at others expense and Colbert is no exception. Buckingham Palace said she’d had surgery, and would be away for several weeks. The Princess of Wales didn’t disappear, she was recuperating. This was not good enough for… https://t.co/7kFnL2tJvH
— Dickie Arbiter LVO 🇬🇧 (@RoyalDickie) March 26, 2024
“This was not good enough for chat show hosts or the Twitterati – SHAME on you all. There’s a clear message – engage brain before mouth if at all the former exists,” the former press secretary concluded.
Other social media users also commented on Colbert’s monologue, with one person writing, “He is a jerk. That was no apology. I’m so embarrassed by my country’s media. [It’s] been out of control for [years].”
Another said, “Plenty of mainstream journalists, including ITV Chris Ship, jumped on [the] bully bandwagon. Cruelty is not limited to US TV hosts and social media.”
What Joke Did Stephen Colbert Make About Kate Middleton?
During a previous episode of “The Late Show,” Colbert poked fun at the wild conspiracy theories surrounding Kate’s absence from her royal duties. The comedian also tied in old affair rumors regarding William and the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Rose Hanbury.
Colbert quipped: “The kingdom has been all a flutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well, now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may be related to her husband and the future King of England, William, having an affair.”
He then sarcastically sympathized with the Princess of Wales, adding: “Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate.”
Colbert then went on to joke about William’s affair rumor: “So, I think we all know who the alleged other woman is. Say it with me –– the Marchioness of Cholmondeley –– what a beautiful name!”
The comedian emphasized that Cholmondeley is pronounced “Chumley,” making it a running joke throughout his segment.
Kate Middleton Opens Up About Her Cancer Diagnosis
A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024
Kate, in a short video, took the world by surprise when she announced last Friday that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
The Princess of Wales revealed that the cancer diagnosis came after she underwent a successful abdominal surgery in January for a condition she was told was non-cancerous. Unfortunately for the mother of three, upon further testing, her doctors found that there was cancer present in her system.
Due to the devastating news, her medical team advised her to begin “preventative chemotherapy.” She is presently in the early stages of the treatment.
In the video, Kate stated, “We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.”